Busoga tourists’ sites : Uganda might be small on the world map, but it has so much to offer as a tourist destination with several attractions such as Kidepo valley national park in the far North East, Mount Elgon in the far East, Bwindi impenetrable forest and Gorilla trekking activities in the west, and several game parks in between the borders such as Murchison falls national park, and Queen Elizabeth national park, Uganda is truly rich. There is also Lake Victoria and the Source of the Nile, the longest river in Africa, which is found in Busoga region in the East.
Jinja which is the heart of Busoga is basically a tourist town with many tourism businesses running everywhere you turn. Tourism expos like the one in March are meant to promote the region as a tourist destination and to market the tourism products available. Increasing Busoga’s potential to attract travellers on Uganda safari trips, and also have them extend their stay is the goal of the expo.
Busoga region is one of the richest Uganda safari destinations. And it is once again holding an expo to promote tourism in Uganda called the Busoga tourism expo. The first Busoga tourism expo was held in December 2014, and was a successful event for promoting tourism in a fun and exciting way. This year’s expo is set to take place on March 13th -14th at the Buluza grounds in Iganga district. Busoga showcases the rich culture and heritage of the region such as the Nnhenda Cultural site, all in a bid to expand tourism products that Uganda, as a country and Busoga as a region have to offer. Other things that will take place during the expo include, a bicycle racing for men and women, clan leaders’ folk presentation and Omweso Competition. Some very important people such as the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri K. Museveni, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, and other technocrats from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and antiquities are expected to be in attendance.
Uganda’s Busoga region is known for the source of the Nile River – the longest river in the world is a great Nile, is inhabited by the people of the Busoga Kingdom. It’s a great place to visit while on Uganda safari due to its great significance to Uganda’s Tourism Industry and overall economy. Other attractions include water sporting tourist activities, such as white water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping and many more.
In this article we look at the significance of Busoga region and how it has benefited not only the Ugandan people but also the tourist that come to spend their holiday within this part of the country.
Busoga tourism attractions
Source of River Nile – Because the source of river Nile – the longest river in the world is located within Jinja, there are a variety of water adventures holidays or trips that you can enjoy on your visit to Uganda. Besides exploring the source of the Nile, you can enjoy white water rafting, swimming, bungee jumping, canoeing, bird watching tours, nature walks, biking tours and so many others.
Busoga tourism cultural sites
The Mpumwiire Coronation site – It’s here that the Kyabazinga’s (king) Palace is located. It derived its name from the scenario that the sickly king of Bunyoro kingdom – Omukama Kabalega during on his return journey from Seychelles where he had gone to exile was the passing through the Busoga region and died (rested) at this place.
The World War Cemetery – it’s here that the East African Infantry battalion of the British Commonwealth buried its soldiers.
The Buswiikira Site – found in Mayuge, it’s here that the legendary icons Kintu and his wife Nambi the ‘ancestors’ of the Baganda are believed to be buried.
The Budhumbula Mausoleum – it’s here that Sir. Wilberforce Nadiope who served as the first post-independence Vice President of Uganda as well as twice as king (Kyabazinga) of Busoga was buried.
Nsono –Namakoko Fort – found in Bugiri is said to be the very first British City in this country. Other sites include: Nnhenda Hill found in Iganga and Imaali Coronation site found in Kaliro District at Madibira
Dolwe Island a Treasure in Busoga – Dolwe Island which is the largest of the numerous rocky Islands found on the eastern side on Lake Victoria in Uganda covers an area of approximately 12 kilometers, and it has two major settlements: the Golofa and the Singla. This island has very beautiful rock formations that were naturally piled like storied building and it’s from this that the name Golofa was derived. The people, who have had an opportunity to visit this island on during their Uganda holidays, will testify to the beautiful scenery and the serenity that lingers around this hidden beauty in Eastern Uganda.
Promoting Busoga Tourism Attraction
From 17th to 19th February the Uganda tourism board is going to host the yearly pearl of Africa travel expo in the capital Kampala and the different attractions on the upper Nile-valley and within the Busoga Kingdom are going to be showcased to almost 100 hosted-buyers plus representatives of international travel media-agencies as well as professionals within the travel trade industry from the East African region.
Busoga once the food basket of Uganda
Busoga one of the cultural areas found in the eastern part of Uganda is among the best places to enjoy and experience a true cultural experience while on a Uganda cultural tour.
This area which is inhabited by the Lusoga speaking people belonging to the Bantu ethnic group was once the food basket of Uganda. Because the country is currently experiencing a massive drought and a wave of food scarcity, to some people the memory of Busoga land being one of the leading sources of food for this country might be vivid
Coffee: The people of Busoga grew a lot of coffee (which is the leading cash crop of Uganda), and his was one of predominantly grown crops across the various districts that make up this region. In fact, majority of the families earned a living from coffee growing and it sustained the domestic economy of the locals. Unfortunately, the farms were attacked by Coffee wilt which diminished nearly all of them.
Sugar: Despite the fact that this area lost the great glory of being among the leading coffee growing areas in Uganda, today it’s the number one producer of sugar-cane a raw material in the sugar making process, and therefore us holds the largest sugar manufacturing industries. Currently nearly each of the districts within Busoga region has a sugar factory and among these are: Kakira Sugar Works found in Jinja District, Kamuli Sugar found in Kamuli District, Mayuge Sugar found in Mayuge District as well as Kaliro Sugar found in Kaliro District among several others.
Rice: Busoga region is in addition the largest rice producer and has the largest rice plantation across Uganda known as Kibimba Rice Scheme found within Bugiri District. Take a Uganda safari to Busoga region to learn about how the coffee you drink back home is processed how rice is grown and how sugarcane’s are turned into sugar.
